MACOMB, Ill. - Fighting Leatherneck baseball battled the South Dakota State Jackrabbits Friday (March 28) and Saturday morning in its conference home opener at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. The Leathernecks used great pitching from sophomore Aaron Michel in game one to record the 1-0 victory. The second game went into extra innings with the Jackrabbits coming out on top 5-2.

Game 1: Western Illinois 1, South Dakota State 0

Game one of the doubleheader was a seven-inning pitching duel with just one runner crossing the plate. Western out-hit SDSU 9-1 in the first conference game of the season for the Purple & Gold.

Michel (2-3) threw all seven innings for the Leathernecks in the win. The sophomore lefty matched his career-high with eight strikeouts and allowed just one hit in the game.

After a scoreless first, Adam McGinnis notched a one-out single through the left side of the infield in the second inning. McGinnis advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored his seventh run of the season on a Brent Turner single up the middle to give WIU a lead they would not relinquish.

Neither team crossed the plate in the final five innings of the game as WIU picked up its third win of the season. The win is the first home opening victory for the Leathernecks since 2010 and the first shutout since April 21 of last season.

At the plate Zack Burling, Jameson Henning and Tanner Glore all recorded two hits for the Leathernecks.

SDSU starter Adam Bray (3-2) threw all 6.0 innings for the Jacks in the loss. The righty allowed nine hits and one run.

Game 2: South Dakota State 5, Western Illinois 2 (11 Innings)

The second game of the doubleheader needed extra innings and an extra day to finish. The Leathernecks and Jackrabbits were tied at 2-2 in the 10th inning Friday when the game was suspended due to darkness and resumed Saturday morning. SDSU scored three runs in the 11th Saturday morning to earn their first conference win of the season.

Western started off the first inning of game one strong, scoring once to go up 1-0. Henning notched a single in the inning and scored on a Glore double into left center field. Glore's RBI was his sixth of the season.

After a scoreless second and third, SDSU put a runner in scoring position with two outs in the fourth. WIU got out of the inning however after Turner made a diving, run-saving catch in left field to keep the Purple & Gold in the lead.

The Leathernecks added their second run in the sixth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Henning led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a groundout, Henning scored on a Glore single down the right field line for Glore's second RBI of the game.

The Jacks put two runners on in the seventh inning, but WIU got out of the inning with a double play to keep the score at 2-0. SDSU scored their first run of the twinbill in the top of the eighth to cut the WIU lead to 2-1. The Jacks drew a pair of walks and notched a single to put across their first run.

In the ninth the Jackrabbits led off the inning with a single, walk and a bunt single to load the bases. The Leathernecks were able to retire the next two SDSU batters, but the Jacks scored the game tying run on a hit batter to make it 2-2 and send the contest to extra innings.

After a scoreless 10th inning the coaches and umpires decided to stop play due to darkness. The game resumed Saturday morning and SDSU started strong, recording four hits and scoring three times in the 11th to go ahead 5-2. Western put two runners on in the bottom of the frame but could not put a run across.

Travis Stafford ended the game with a career-high four hits for the Leathernecks at the plate. Jake Moore, Glore and Henning all recorded two hits each for the Purple & Gold. 

Western used five pitchers in the contest, with Tom Constand (0-5) taking the loss after throwing 1.0 inning. Tyler Willman started the game and threw 7.0 innings with four strikeouts and no runs allowed. 

The Leathernecks will be back in action Sunday (March 30) as North Dakota State comes to town for a twinbill. First pitch in game one is set for noon. 

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